ABC’s Modern Family enjoyed a surge this Wednesday, rising 16 and 28 percent week-to-week to deliver 10.6 million total viewers and a night-dominating 4.1 demo rating — its best numbers since Jan. 23.

Leading out of that, the series launch of How to Live With Your Parents (for the rest of Your Life)did 8.4 mil and a 2.9, drawing more viewers and the same demo as Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23‘s own apres-Family debut but demonstrating greater retention (79 and 71 percent) than both the Beek (68 and 71 percent) and The Neighbors‘ fall sneak peek (64 and 60 percent).

Opening the night, The Middle (7.2 mil/2.0) ticked up two tenths and Suburgatory (5.8 mil/1.8) improved on time slot predecessor The Neighbors by 5 and 20 percent, while Nashville closed ABC’s Wednesday with 5.6 mil/1.7, up 8 percent and two tenths.

On NBC, Dateline (5.9 mil/1.4) gave the Peacock a 12-week time slot high, more than doubling the Whitney finale’s audience while rising 40 percent in the demo. SVU (6.2 mil/1.6) and Chicago Fire (6.25 mil/1.6) each ticked down a tenth.

The CW’s Arrow (2.84 mil/0.9) added a handful of viewers and stayed steady in the demo, but Supernatural (2 mil/0.8) dropped two tenths.

Happy Nashville was up in the ratings it was really good last night, loved those two little girls singing that song. Also watched Arrow, Criminal Minds , CSI and Supernatural but for me I’m done with Idol they need to stick a fork in it!!

I said the same thing last night. My husband replied they will probably show one more episode and then have another hiatus ruining their momentum. 3 consecutive new episodes is the best ABC can muster. I have so many friends that started watching Nashville, but gave up because they forgot it was on. Nashville is such a good show. I hope they let it find it’s footing. I still believe it belongs on Sunday night 10PM.

Surprised about Modern Family’s ratings, it was one of the weakest EPs this season – usually Jay or Cam and Mitchell can be counted on to do something funny,, but even they came up short. The scenes with Julie Bowen and Ty Burrell were yawn out loud lame. And the little girl they got to play Cam and Mitchel’s daughter is just annoying, never funny.

Not sure it was one of the best, but it was an improvement from the previous few episodes. And little Lily is really great. She’s consistently one of the funniest moments of the show. Can’t understand all the negative comments she gets.

boo about supernatural, it was awesome esp with bobby. I didnt know he was going to be on so maybe other fans didnt know either. yea suburagory # went up, glad its nott competing with supernatural anymore.

I’m not surprised to see Supernatural drop. First they take Cas out of the picture again – which the ratings were high for his return. Then last night’s episode made no sense with Sam just strolling into hell (negating Cas and the angels fighting 40 years to find Dean) and then the back door into purgatory which pretty much wiped out Crowley’s quest to find Purgatory in S6. Not to mention being able to see Reapers. None of it made sense. It was frustrating.

I don’t think Crowley was looking for Purgatory as much as he wanted the souls. Maybe he still doesn’t know that Sam was dropped in Purgatory. I thought all Crowley knew was that Sam wanted to go to hell. The reaper only told Sam he was in purgatory when they got there and Dean didn’t know until Naomi said something.

Also, I like Cas and all, but him not being there doesn’t lessen the show for me. It has always been about Dean and Sam for me and people they see along the way. It was never Dean, Sam, and Cas at all. It has always been about the brothers.

I agree with you. Always about the bros for me too. I don’t miss Cass when he’s gone and as far as ratings with him, doesn’t really make a difference. The ratings were very high last week and no Cass, no mytharc… Surprised about the drop this week since a major character came back and another favorite reappeared as well. Hope it will adjust back up!

It was one of the best Supernatural’s. I didn’t know Bobby was going to be back, and from the moment I saw him my heart was a lump in my throat and I was on the verge of tears. I miss Jim Beavers so much on this show – I can only hope that we see him again, and again, and again.

I started watching The Middle this season and was surprised at how good it is. It doesn’t have a hook or rely on the ridiculous or over the top to get a laugh. It’s got heart and the characters are so endearing. I loved how distraught Frankie was last night over the results of The Bachelor and how Brick was able to talk her down. Suborgatory is getting really weird. Now that Dallas and George are together the tension is gone. Modern Family was great last night. It focused on relationships and what makes a family. And the bit at the restaurant was laugh out loud funny. Nashville rocks but if.Juliette keeps hooking up with everyone she’s going to lose the credibility she’s trying to gain. Go back to the music!!! And the girls last night were PHENOMENAL!!! About Chicago Fire, enough with the Peter Mills storylines. Severide and the Jesse Spencer character are the leads. Their dynamics are explosive. Peter is a little kid. He should have never been involved with Dawson. The father arc is even more of an overkill. He’s getting a lot of attention that people did not sign up for and its distracting. And I very much doubt that Parents will retain these ratings. It was pretty unfunny. The parents are over the top ridiculous. But love Sarah Chalke so I hope it works out for her.

A good night for ABC, and I’m sure, a sigh of relief from Paul L. and the ABC honchos.
Should be repeat-free Wednesday nights for ABC the rest of the way until mid-May.
Middle-Subgtry-MFamily-w/Parents-Nashville: need good, consistent results wk after wk.
If we see consistently good numbers from this five series group, all could be renewed.
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Just a side note – for those out there who follow the ratings of these and other shows and want to learn more about how the television ratings system works [Nielsen] and how social media and new methods of ‘broadcasting’ television shows are impacting how shows are perceived [success or failure], there is an excellent cover story in this month’s “WIRED’ magazine.
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Alison Brie {Mad Men, Community} is on the cover [yes, that is Alison on the cover, showing her best Don Draper mojo]. The article goes into how networks are finding new ways to measure their shows’ audience and popularity, including social media sites and their fan base – very much like what we all do here on TVLine via Michael and Matt and co. As the article noted, ‘Buzz’ does matter, so even for all of us here who may not have a Nielsen box, ‘Buzz’ matters, and social media sites (TVLine, Deadline, TVBTN, etc) can make a difference in helping a series to survive ratings challenges – a good example, Happy Endings, which may find a new home at USA Network next season.
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Sarah Chalke – you rock! :)